John Daly doesn't do "quiet." Whether it’s his neon-patterned pants that look like a primary school art project gone wild or the way he can grip-and-rip a driver while puffing on a cigarette, the man is a walking, talking defiance of country club etiquette. But over the last few years, one particular accessory has sparked more heated debates at the 19th hole than his choice of diet soda or Hooters sponsorship: his golf cart.
Look, you’ve probably seen the photos. There’s Big John, cruising down the fairway at a major championship while everyone else—including the guys half his age—is trudging through the tall grass. Some fans love it. They see it as a rebel staying in the game. Others? They think it’s a slap in the face to the "integrity" of professional golf.
But here’s the thing. The john daley golf cart isn't about laziness. It’s a legal, medical, and mechanical necessity that keeps one of golf’s most magnetic personalities from having to hang up his spikes for good.
The Knee That Started a Firestorm
The drama really peaked at the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. If you know that course, you know it’s a monster. It’s long. It’s hilly. It’s basically a forced march with clubs.
Daly showed up with an approved medical exemption to use a cart. He has osteoarthritis in his right knee. It’s not just "it hurts a little when it rains" kind of pain. He basically described it as being able to walk up a hill but being physically unable to walk down one because his knee would simply give out.
The PGA of America approved his request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Naturally, the golf world had thoughts.
Tiger Woods, who was recovering from his own set of brutal injuries at the time, famously quipped, "I walked with a broken leg." It was a classic Tiger needle, but it highlighted a massive divide in the sport. Is walking 18 holes an essential part of the competition? The Supreme Court actually weighed in on this years ago with the Casey Martin case, ruling that walking is not an fundamental part of the game.
Still, Daly’s cart remains a rare sight on the PGA Tour. On the PGA Tour Champions (the senior circuit), carts are actually pretty common. But in the majors? It’s basically just John.
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Streetrod and the "Daly Edition" Luxury
If you think he’s just toolin’ around in a beat-up Club Car with a squeaky roof, you don't know John Daly. When he isn't using a standard tournament-issued cart, he’s often associated with high-end, custom-built "golf cars."
Specifically, he’s partnered with a company called Streetrod Golf Cars. These aren't just carts; they’re small-scale luxury vehicles. We’re talking:
- Custom Paint: Show-car quality PPG paint that usually matches his loud-and-proud aesthetic.
- Cooling Tech: Under-hood "frunk" beverage coolers. Essential for staying hydrated (Daly style).
- The Gritty Details: The "GRIT B2 Daly Edition" features an SUV-inspired design, custom racks, and 14-inch genuine SS wheels.
Honestly, the specs on these things are better than some people’s actual cars. They use marine-grade upholstery and touch-screen displays with GPS speedometers. It’s the ultimate "party cart," and it fits his brand perfectly.
The Weird Rules of Riding
Even when Daly gets the green light to ride, the rules are weird. At Bethpage Black, and other major events, the "John Daly golf cart" comes with a big asterisk: he can ride, but his clubs cannot.
His caddie still has to walk.
Think about that visual for a second. Daly is zipping ahead to his ball, and his caddie is lugging a massive, heavy staff bag (often the orange Hooters bag) through the rough on foot. It seems counter-intuitive, but the governing bodies insist on this to maintain some semblance of "competitive fairness." They don't want the caddie getting the advantage of a ride, too.
It’s a bit of a circus.
Why the R&A Said No
While the PGA of America and the PGA Tour have been relatively accommodating, the R&A—which runs The Open Championship—is much more old-school.
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In 2019, they denied his request to use a cart at Royal Portrush. Their reasoning? The terrain of a links course is too rugged and dangerous for a cart, and walking is "an integral part of the Championship." Daly was devastated. He’s a former Open winner (St. Andrews, 1995), and he takes that history seriously.
He tried to play, but without the cart, his body just couldn't hold up. It’s a stark reminder that for John, the cart isn’t a luxury—it’s the difference between playing and being a spectator.
Is the Cart an Unfair Advantage?
This is the big question everyone loves to argue about. Does riding save him energy?
Of course it does.
While the other 155 guys in the field are burning calories and dealing with leg fatigue over five hours, Daly is sitting down between shots. On a hot, humid Sunday, that’s a massive physical edge.
But Daly argues it’s actually a disadvantage.
He claims that riding makes it harder to stay in the "rhythm" of the game. When you walk, you have time to process your last shot, think about the next one, and keep your muscles warm. Jumping in and out of a cart can make you feel disconnected from the course. Plus, there’s the mental weight of the "cart stigma." He’s mentioned before that he hates being the only guy out there in a buggy, feeling the eyes of the traditionalists burning holes in his back.
Customization and the "Hooters" Connection
You can't talk about the John Daly golf cart without mentioning his sponsors. Most of his personal carts feature the iconic orange and owl logo of Hooters.
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The partnership is legendary.
During the week of the Masters—a tournament he usually isn't invited to play in anymore—Daly famously sets up shop in the Hooters parking lot in Augusta. He parks his massive RV, puts his custom golf cart on display, and signs autographs for hours.
It’s become a pilgrimage for fans. For many, seeing John and his cart at Hooters is as much a part of Masters week as pimento cheese sandwiches.
The Future of Carts in Pro Golf
Is Daly a pioneer or an outlier?
As the "Tiger Era" golfers age, we might see more of this. Professional golf is brutal on the joints. We've already seen guys like Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples deal with significant back and joint issues. If the goal is to keep the biggest stars on the screen for as long as possible, the governing bodies might have to loosen up on the "walking only" tradition.
For now, the john daley golf cart remains a symbol of the man himself: unapologetic, slightly controversial, and undeniably practical for a guy who just wants to keep playing the game he loves.
What you can do next
If you're dealing with similar knee issues but want to stay on the course, you don't need a custom Streetrod to keep playing. Most local courses are extremely accommodating if you have a medical note.
- Check the Local Rules: Before you book a tee time, ask if carts are restricted to "path only." If your mobility is limited, "path only" days can actually be harder than walking because of the distance from the path to the ball.
- Look into "Single Rider" Carts: These are smaller, lighter, and often allowed on the turf even when standard carts are restricted.
- Get a Medical Flag: Most courses provide a small flag (usually red or yellow) to attach to your cart. This signals to the ranger and other players that you have permission to drive closer to the greens and tees due to a disability.
Daly might be the only pro riding in a major, but in the world of amateur golf, the cart is the great equalizer. It keeps the game accessible. And honestly, if it’s good enough for a two-time major champion, it’s good enough for your Saturday morning foursome.